Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kennyo said 5:52PM on 9-05-2008
Has the reviewer tested MagicJack? "Never pay a monthly phone bill again! Free local and long distance calling in the USA and Canada." Has a deal with an well known company offering very low charge calling out of the country to anywhere in the world. About $40 for the phone connection to your computer, free the first year and then $20 a year thereafter. I have been using it for 6 months without any problems.
Downside, if you plan to use it as a main phone, for incoming calls, you need to keep the computer on 24/7. I only use the service for out going calls when I am at the computer. If you want to get rid of your expensive phone company and have a cell phone, I use the cell for incoming calls since I have it on 24/7.
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brblayout said 9:39PM on 9-21-2008
You can allso forward it to your cell phone . than you never miss a call.
Mel said 1:49AM on 10-22-2008
i too have majic jack and it is going to revolutonize the way people use the phone, crystal clear and for a business man you will save tons of money on your phone bill, plus you can plug it up to any computer with an internet connection and make calls from a standard phone, WOW and at $20 a year you cant beat that.
Art said 3:08PM on 9-03-2008
But not in the Middle East - Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc...
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John Lee said 11:51AM on 10-05-2008
I can't say I have ever used any Voip program. I don't know about in the States but in the UK you can get all your phone calls in a bundle. I pay £5 a month to Sky for unlimited calls up to an hour long but you can always redial. It doesn't cover mobile phones although the costs are reduced but then all mobile operators bundle so many minutes in their packages so I cannot see any use in voip. Don't know anyone that uses it including my friends that have it bundled with their BT router.
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Aisha said 8:16PM on 10-21-2008
what is the best ipod or little music box for a senior who listens to vintage jazz, and wants to have access to new artist while remaining free of the disk, or tape player ?
Also what is the most economical computer to purchase a 16 yr old-
that can be up graded and does all the stuff that a 16 yr old likes to do.
the teen is a young man.
AISHA
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Jerry King said 6:10PM on 10-26-2008
Skype is great! I've been using it for about a year to talk to friends in the US, Canada, England and Australia. Hardly ever have a problem of any kind and if I do I just redial. Voice quality is as good as any landline I ever had and the service is better, all FREE!
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